Vietnam to Canada

Requirements & Procedures for International Travel

Updated: April 2026

Government regulations change frequently. The information contained here is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it may change at any time and should be verified before travelling.

Canada has recently changed the rules for importing dogs and cats into the country. Please follow the official website for any updates.

Email of Canadian authorities: information@inspection.gc.ca

Overview

Before entering the destination country, your pet must have:

  • A microchip (not mandatory under the new rules but strongly recommended)
  • Vaccinations against rabies and core dog or cat diseases
  • A rabies vaccination certificate in English
  • Parasite treatment (recommended only)
  • A Veterinary Health Certificate and a Government International Health Certificate for travel

Microchip

Your pet must be microchipped before, or at the same time as, their rabies vaccination. If not, they will need to be vaccinated again.

  • The microchip is injected under your pet’s skin near the left shoulder blade.
  • This is not a tracking device, but a way to identify and register your dog or cat.

Rabies & Core Vaccinations

These must be administered no more than one year prior to departure and at least 30 days before travel.

  • Your pet must be at least 3 months old.
  • A rabies certificate is mandatory: it must be endorsed by a veterinarian.

Parasite Treatment

Before entering the destination country, your pet should be treated for certain internal and external parasites by a licensed veterinarian. This is not mandatory, but is recommended by our team.

  • Treatment should be administered 1 to 5 days prior to entry.

Import Approval via Email

Requests should include the info below and emailed to the authority listed at the top of this page:

  • Scan of the pet’s vaccination record
  • Photo of the pet
  • Flight details
  • Copy of the owner’s passport 

Certificates

  • Veterinary Health Certificate: must be completed by a licensed veterinarian within 5 days of travel
  • Government International Health Certificate: must be completed 5 to 7 days prior to departure. Paws International Clinic will complete this step for you. Please bring the required documents to your appointment.

Cage Requirements

We highly recommend acclimating your pet to their travel crate in advance and practising crate training. This will help reduce stress during travel. During your Travel Consultation, we will measure and weigh your pet to determine the appropriate crate size. The carrier must be IATA-approved.

Flight

Please note that each airline has its own guidelines. Before booking your flight, contact the airline well in advance to confirm whether pets are permitted on your chosen route.

There are three ways to transport your pet:

  1. In-cabin travel: your pet may travel with you in the cabin if it weighs between 5 kg and 7 kg, including the soft carrier, depending on the airline. Some airlines no longer offer this option.
  2. Checked baggage: pets weighing over 7 kg and up to approximately 33 to 45 kg, depending on the airline, may travel in the hold as checked baggage. Note that some countries may not accept pets under this category due to specific regulations.
  3. Manifest cargo: your pet can be booked on a separate flight as manifest cargo. This option is generally more expensive than excess baggage. Some airlines no longer offer this service. 

As a general rule, animals weighing 33 to 45 kg or more, including the crate, will be transported as manifest cargo, even if travelling on the same flight as you. It is important to confirm this with the airline, especially if your pet’s weight is close to this range, as policies may vary.

Government regulations change frequently. The information contained here is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it may change at any time and should be verified before travelling.

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